Solidarity: Whither goeth Sri Lanka?

Solidarity means unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest, mutual support within a group. St. Pope John Paul II has said solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual because we are all really responsible for all.

On December 20 the United Nations marks the International Human Solidarity Day. In a statement, the UN says the sustainable development agenda is centred on people and the planet, underpinned by human rights and supported by a global partnership determined to lift people out of poverty, hunger and disease. It will thus, be built on a foundation of global cooperation and solidarity.

According to the UN, the day is being observed to celebrate our unity in diversity, to remind governments to respect their commitments to international agreements, to raise public awareness of the importance of solidarity, to encourage debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and to encourage initiatives for poverty eradication.

Solidarity is identified in the Millennium Declaration as one of the fundamental values of international relations in the 21st Century, wherein those, who either suffer or benefit least, deserve help from those who benefit most. Consequently, in the context of globalization and the challenge of growing inequality, strengthening of international solidarity is indispensable. Therefore, the UN General Assembly, convinced that the promotion of the culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing is important for combating poverty, proclaimed December 20 as International Human Solidarity Day.

Through initiatives such as the establishment of the World Solidarity Fund to eradicate poverty and the proclamation of International Human Solidarity Day, the concept of solidarity was promoted as crucial in the fight against poverty and in the involvement of all relevant stakeholders. 

The concept of solidarity has defined the work of the United Nations since the birth of the Organization. The creation of the United Nations drew the people and nations of the world together to promote peace, human rights and social and economic development. The Organization was founded on the basic premise of unity and harmony among its members, expressed in the concept of collective security that relies on the solidarity of its members to unite to maintain international peace and security. It is in the spirit of solidarity that the Organization relies on cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character.

The General Assembly, on December 22, 2005, by a resolution identified solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal values that should underlie relations between peoples in the twenty-first century. By a resolution  the General Assembly, on  December 20 2002, established the World Solidarity Fund, which was set up in February 2003 as a trust fund of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Its objective is to eradicate poverty and promote human and social development in developing countries, in particular among the poorest segments of their population.

An independent expert on human rights and international solidarity was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to develop a draft declaration on the right of people to international solidarity. In 2017, the Council extended the mandate of the independent expert by three years and appointed Nigeria’s Obiora C. Okafor to
the position.  

In Sri Lanka to what extent are the Government and the people working towards solidarity so that there will be unity in diversity between the people of different races and religions. As the UN says, this will help us to act together in tackling social justice issues such as poverty alleviation and climate change. Unfortunately, the Government has made little progress in bringing about unity in diversity instead we see top politicians and business individuals or companies continuing their large scale corruption including the recent sugar deal in which top politicians and business individuals are alleged to have grabbed billions of dollars in kickbacks or commissions and this criminal offence was committed at the expense of poverty-trapped people. True leadership is to serve the people sincerely, selflessly and sacrificially but we see little of it and instead the rich and the ruling class are becoming richer while millions of poor people are being pushed deeper into the mud-holes of poverty.